How to Set Up a Music Pre-Save Before Release Day

Setting up a pre-save for your upcoming release is one of the simplest ways to build momentum before your music goes live. It gives fans an easy way to save your song or album in advance, helps you keep your release top of mind, and gives your campaign a clear call to action before release day.

With Symphonic’s integrations with Hypeddit and Feature.fm, Symphonic clients can create pre-save and smart link campaigns right from SymphonicMS. Here’s how it works.

What Is a Pre-Save?

A pre-save is similar to a pre-order, but for streaming. Instead of buying your music before it comes out, fans save it to their music library before the release date. Once the release is live, it becomes available to them automatically on supported platforms.

For example, a Spotify pre-save campaign lets fans connect their Spotify account and save an upcoming single, EP, or album before it drops. Depending on the campaign settings, fans may also be able to follow the artist, follow a playlist, or add the release to a playlist.

On Apple Music, this is often referred to as a pre-add. The idea is the same: fans take action before release day so your music is easier to find the moment it goes live.

Why Pre-Saves Matter for Artists

Pre-saves give your fans something simple to do before your release comes out. Instead of only saying “new song coming soon,” you can send people to one clear link and ask them to save it now.

That can help you:

• Build excitement before release day
• Give your fans a direct way to support the release early
• Drive more listeners to your music when it goes live
• Collect useful campaign insights through your pre-save or smart link platform
• Turn release promotion into a longer campaign instead of a one-day push

Pre-saves work best when they are part of a bigger release plan. If you are still mapping out your rollout, check out our guide on how to build a stronger release strategy.

What You Need Before Creating a Pre-Save

Before you create your pre-save link, make sure your release is submitted and approved in SymphonicMS. You will also want to have your release details ready so your campaign is accurate and easy to promote.

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Release title
• Artist name
• Release date
• Cover art
• UPC or ISRC, depending on the platform you use
• Short promo copy for social posts, email, and SMS
• Any tracking pixels or campaign settings you want to use

If you still need to distribute your music before setting up a campaign, Symphonic Starter is built for emerging artists who want to release music to major DSPs, keep 100% of royalties from music distribution, and access tools that help support their release strategy.

How to Set Up a Pre-Save in SymphonicMS

Symphonic clients can create pre-save campaigns through partner tools inside SymphonicMS. You can use Hypeddit or Feature.fm depending on your campaign goals, workflow, and the features you want to use.

Option 1: Create a Pre-Save With Hypeddit

With Hypeddit, Symphonic clients can set up a pre-save campaign for free through SymphonicMS.

To get started:

1. Log in to SymphonicMS.
2. Go to Marketing ► Client Offerings ► Featured Partners.
3. Select Hypeddit.
4. Log in to your Hypeddit account.
5. Go to Share Music.
6. Select Pre-Release Smart Link.
7. Enter the required release information.
8. Customize your landing page, platforms, design, and tracking settings.
9. Create your pre-save link and start sharing it with fans.

One major benefit of using Hypeddit through Symphonic is that you do not need a Spotify or Apple Music URI or URL to create a pre-release smart link. As long as your release is approved in SymphonicMS, you can use the UPC or ISRC in the Source field.

Even better, your Hypeddit pre-save link can automatically convert into a smart link on release day, which means fans can use the same link after the music is live.

For the full setup process, check out Hypeddit’s full pre-save walkthrough.

Option 2: Create a Pre-Save With Feature.fm

Feature.fm is another great option for artists and teams who want a music marketing suite built for smart links, pre-saves, fan engagement, and campaign insights.

To access Feature.fm from SymphonicMS:

1. Log in to SymphonicMS.
2. Go to Marketing ► Client Offerings ► Featured Partners.
3. Select Feature.fm.
4. Create or log in to your Feature.fm account.
5. Start a new pre-save or smart link campaign.
6. Add your release details, platform options, artwork, and campaign settings.
7. Publish your link and start promoting it.

Feature.fm also offers a detailed walkthrough on how to build your first landing page. You can check out Feature.fm’s pre-save setup guide for more details.

How to Promote Your Pre-Save Link

Once your pre-save link is live, don’t just post it once and move on. Treat it like the center of your pre-release campaign.

Here are a few easy ways to promote it:

• Add the link to your Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X bios.
• Pin a post with your pre-save link on your main social profiles.
• Share short-form videos using a preview of the song.
• Send the link to your email list or SMS list.
• Use the link in your press outreach or EPK.
• Create a countdown series leading up to release day.
• Ask collaborators, producers, and featured artists to share the link too.
• Run a small ad campaign if you have a defined audience and budget.

Need more ideas? Here are music promotion tips you can use before and after your release goes live.

What Happens on Release Day?

On release day, your pre-save campaign does its job. Fans who pre-saved your music can have it added to their library automatically on supported platforms. If your link converts into a smart link, you can keep using the same URL to send fans to the live release across DSPs.

This is also the moment to keep pushing. Share the live link, thank fans who pre-saved, post behind-the-scenes content, and keep your campaign active after the release drops. The strongest releases usually keep building for weeks, not just the first 24 hours.

If your song is getting traction before your release date is locked in, you may also want to learn how to set up pre-saves before your release date is locked in.

Want to Learn More?

• Pre-save/SmartLink with Hypeddit
• Pre-save/SmartLink with Feature.fm
• Apple Music pre-adds
• Spotify for Artists release day guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a pre-save and a smart link?

A pre-save is used before your release goes live so fans can save it in advance. A smart link is usually used after release day to send fans to your music on the platform they prefer. Some pre-save links can automatically convert into smart links once the release is live.

Do I need a Spotify URI to create a pre-save?

Not always. With Hypeddit through SymphonicMS, you do not need a Spotify or Apple Music URI or URL as long as your release is approved in SymphonicMS. You can use the UPC or ISRC in the Source field.

When should I start promoting my pre-save link?

Start as soon as your pre-save link is ready and your release date is confirmed. Many artists begin sharing their link a few weeks before release day so fans have time to take action.

Can fans pre-save on Apple Music?

Apple Music uses pre-adds for eligible releases. A pre-add lets fans add your upcoming music to their library before it is officially released.

Should every artist use a pre-save?

If you have an upcoming release and enough time to promote it, a pre-save is worth considering. It gives your fans a simple action to take before release day and helps turn your rollout into a stronger campaign.